2022 NFL Prospect Interview: Cash Gilliam, S/LB, Utah State
- Name: Cash Gilliam
- Height: 6’
- Weight: 200
- Position: Striker/ Safety/ OLB/ Nickel
- College: Utah State University
- Twitter: @aye5ive
- Instagram: @aye5ive
Talk about your experience as a student. What is your major/minor? Did you participate in any other activities or campus organizations other than football?
My time as a student was a great one, I met a lot of great people throughout my career at Utah State University and University of Kentucky. I started out at the University of Kentucky as a Broadcast Journalism major. When I transferred to Utah State University I got my degree in interdisciplinary studies with a journalism focus.
What do your teammates say is your best quality?
My teammates would say that my best quality is the attitude I bring to work everyday. This mindset I gained from having an injury early in my college career that taught me to never take it for granted.
What kind of role do you see yourself in on the team? What scheme and/or position suits your skill set?
I’m in a leadership role because I played a lot of football and focused on being the standard everyday and making sure my teammates wanna be the standard as well.
For the actual position I play on the field I’m really a hybrid safety/ linebacker also I’m the nickel back. I feel like I’m multiple and can give defenses a lot to work with in sub packages.
Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?
The whole 2019 LSU offense, Respectfully.
Which one of your teammates impresses you the most?
Justin Rice. He’s a great teammate and an even better competitor
Describe a time in your life when you were able to overcome a struggle.
When I did a season at Juco it was hard, and I had to battle a lot. Not eating right, to not getting the proper sleep, to being so far from home going through all this alone was hard, especially coming from the SEC where I had everything. I had to turn to God and stay strong in my faith. At the end of the day I knew that it can’t rain forever. That mindset has put me over the top ever since then. God sent me a blessing with a scholarship from Utah state University and I kept that same mindset that I had in juco here.
If you didn’t play football, what other sport would you play?
I would play basketball for sure. I played AAU basketball growing up and the only reason I stopped Is because football got really serious for me.
What is something that you are most proud of? What would you say is your biggest achievement?
Graduating college and taking care of my mother who has dementia. At the end of the day I know I beat the odds and kept God on my side while doing it.
Describe one of the most memorable plays of your collegiate career.
Making a tackle vs Stony Brook. It was my first college start. I knocked the QB’s helmet off and forced a fumble. It was late in the game and I had a pretty decent game for my first start. When they ran the QB read and I saw the opportunity for a good play I just tried my best to capitalize on what I did all week.
Do you have a favorite athlete or professional team? Is there a player that you model your game after?
I’m a fan of Tyrann Mathieu and his approach to the game, I love how much passion he has when he is on the field and how well he can get his teammates to play with that same passion.
Who is your favorite music artist? What gets you pumped before a game?
My favorite music artist is G Herbo, him and Lil Durk get the most rotation during the pre-game.
What is your favorite comfort food?
Cheeseburgers, hands down if you ask my teammates they will tell you I have a problem eating so many.
Do you have a favorite movie, TV show or actor?
My favorite TV show is most definitely Avatar: The Last Airbender.
What do you do in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies? Any secret talents?
I love to listen to music, and play the game when I get free time. Also I absolutely love to cook. It’s a stress reliever for me.
Why do you play football? Who or what motivates you the most?
To help out my mother who has dementia. I wanna make it a profession so I can give her the means to live properly. It’s been a struggle in that aspect so far in my life.
Assistant Director of Scouting for the Hula Bowl and long-time writer for NFL Draft Diamonds.